A complete clause normally contains a subject and a finite verb.
An independent clause can stand alone, while a dependent clause needs a main clause to complete its message.
Coordinating conjunctions can connect related clauses; subordinating conjunctions show a relationship such as reason or time.
See it. Say it. Understand it.
Easy / Start here
Although the room was small, the group arranged enough seats.
Moderate / Add a little
A dependent clause needs a main clause to complete its message.
More detail for teachers and confident learners
A complete clause normally contains a subject and a finite verb. An independent clause can stand alone, while a dependent clause needs a main clause to complete its message. Coordinating conjunctions can connect related clauses; subordinating conjunctions show a relationship such as reason or time. A fragment may contain interesting words but still leave the reader waiting for the main statement.
A comma alone does not normally join two independent sentences. Use a full stop, a semicolon where appropriate, or a suitable conjunction. Vary sentence length according to meaning, not simply to appear advanced. Long sentences require especially clear reference and punctuation. When editing, identify each finite verb and the subject it belongs to; this makes missing main clauses and accidental sentence run-ons easier to find.
Use this General English lesson to make communication more independent and precise. Compare alternative ways of expressing a point and select the one which preserves its meaning. In source-based work, keep a claim separate from the evidence or qualification supporting it.
වැඩි විස්තර අවශ්ය විට පමණක් මෙම කොටස කියවන්න.
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The second conditional commonly uses if plus a past form with would plus a base verb.
It describes an imagined or less likely present or future situation rather than a simple finished event.
Were can be used with all persons in a formal hypothetical clause, especially in the useful phrase if I were you.
See it. Say it. Understand it.
Easy / Start here
If Amal had a larger room, the group would invite more people.
Moderate / Add a little
If the group had checked the weather, they would have moved the event indoors.
More detail for teachers and confident learners
The second conditional commonly uses if plus a past form with would plus a base verb. It describes an imagined or less likely present or future situation rather than a simple finished event. Were can be used with all persons in a formal hypothetical clause, especially in the useful phrase if I were you. The third conditional uses if plus past perfect with would have plus a past participle to imagine a different past.
Separate the time of the condition from the time of the result. An imagined past event cannot actually be changed, but discussing it can clarify a lesson or consequence. Avoid mixing patterns accidentally, although deliberate mixed conditionals are possible when the times differ. When giving advice, explain why the imagined choice would help. Do not use an elaborate pattern if a clear direct sentence expresses the intended meaning better.
Use this General English lesson to make communication more independent and precise. Compare alternative ways of expressing a point and select the one which preserves its meaning. In source-based work, keep a claim separate from the evidence or qualification supporting it.
වැඩි විස්තර අවශ්ය විට පමණක් මෙම කොටස කියවන්න.
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Start with the person or thing receiving the action.
Use a form of be + the past participle.
Add by + the doer when that information is useful.
See it. Say it. Understand it.
Easy / Start here
The door is closed.
Moderate / Add a little
The room is cleaned every day.
Challenge / Try when ready
The damaged chairs were repaired before the pupils returned.
More detail for teachers and confident learners
A passive clause usually makes the receiver of an action its subject. Form it with the appropriate tense of be and a past participle. A by-phrase can identify the agent, but it is often omitted when the agent is unknown, obvious or unimportant. Changing active to passive should preserve the original tense and meaning. Not every verb has an object that can become a passive subject.
The passive is useful in notices, reports and descriptions of processes when the result or procedure matters more than the person acting. It should not hide responsibility when naming the agent would make the message clearer. First identify subject, verb and object in the active sentence, then choose singular or plural agreement for the new subject. Keep a process in a consistent time frame unless the meaning requires a change.
Use this General English lesson to make communication more independent and precise. Compare alternative ways of expressing a point and select the one which preserves its meaning. In source-based work, keep a claim separate from the evidence or qualification supporting it.
වැඩි විස්තර අවශ්ය විට පමණක් මෙම කොටස කියවන්න.
Optional extra unit worksheet
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